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Agenda

• Background • Disease survey results (2009-2011) • Seed-borne Fusarium spp. Update • Future Solutions – Seed Treatment Perspective

Seed & Soil-borne Diseases - What’s New? 2012 Agronomy Update – Crop Establishment

Ted Labun – Syngenta Canada Ltd. Capri Hotel & Convention Centre Red Deer Alberta January 17 & 18 2012.

Seed & Soil-borne Diseases: What’s New? 2012 Agronomy Update

• Seed & Soil-Borne Disease Complex: Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium • Impact emergence, stand establishment & yield in many crops • Cause seed decay, seedling blight and pre/post-emergence damping-off. • Seedlings can also develop root rot impact uptake of water and nutrients

Background

Why a Disease Survey 2009 – 2011?

• Growers have moved to soil conservation practices • Shorter crop rotations

Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba Ontario Quebec

157 Fields Surveyed 2009 to 2011

AB

SK

ON QC

MB

Scope of Disease Survey

Focus • Canola • Cereals • Pulses • Soybeans

Survey Methodology in the Field

250 m 50

m

Field

Diamond sampling pattern

• Timing: 1-3 weeks after planting. Young Seedlings • Both representative and selective • Begin at one end of field, walk approximately 10 metres into field (10 paces) • Sample seedlings + sampled 50 g of soil • Sample diamond pattern with each side of the diamond being approximately 250 metres • Sampling was every 50 metres (20 samples total). • Each plant sample goes into a separate labelled paper bag. • Soil is combined in the plastic bag as it is sampled.

Survey Results based on Post-emergence Damping-off not Seed Decay or Pre-emergence Damping-off

Pre-emergent Damping-Off/Seed Rot Note: Would not be able to survey in the field 2011 Field Trial – Saskatoon SK

Early Season Seedling Blight (survey timing)

Late Post-emergence Damping-Off (Edmonton AB)

Inoculated CK Non - Inoculated CK

Healthy Infected

Samples shipped to the lab Seedlings were washed, surface disinfested, and photographed

Crown and root of each seedling was plated on water agar

Example of Canola Seedlings Plated Crown Roots

Soil Sample

• Isolation of Rhizoctonia • Characterization of Rhizoctonia isolates • Anastomosis group (AG) • Host range/virulence

Next Step: Characterization - Host Range/Virulence Tests (2009-2010) Laboratory/Growthroom

Field Survey RESULTS - Characterization of Rhizoctonia – AGs

AG 2-1

AG 5

AG 4

AG 2-2

Control

Field Survey RESULTS - Host Range/Virulence Tests

Hosts • Peas • Wheat • Soybeans • Lentils • Canola

Survey Field RESULTS – Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:D5 Location:Sexsmith AB Isolate from Canola

Healthy Seedling

Infected Seedlings

Infected Seedling

Symptoms in the field

Survey Field RESULTS – Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:D5 Location:Sexsmith AB (Isolate from Canola) Host/Virulence Studies from Rhizoctonia isolates (photos taken 7 days after planting)

Sexsmith AB

Survey Field RESULTS – Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:M1 Location:Medicine Hat AB Isolate from Durum Wheat

Healthy Seedling

Infected Seedling

Symptoms in the field

Survey Field RESULTS – Host Range/Virulence Tests Trial ID:M1 Location:Medicine Hat AB - Isolate from Durum Wheat (photos taken 7 days after planting)

Medicine Hat AB

Summary of Results

157 fields surveyed: AG 2-1, AG 2-2, AG 4, AG 5 R. solani recovered from 31% of fields surveyed

R. solani isolated from 5 to 75% of plants Note: In some cases the shorter rotations higher incidence Recovery greater from seedling crowns

Field Survey RESULTS – Host Range/Virulence Tests

Untreated Check Pre-emergence Damping-off Severe Seed Decay Caused by Rhizoctonia

3 Fungicides 3 Different modes of action 2 Systemic/1 Contact

Future Seed Treatment Solutions in canola

2011 Planting - What about Seed-borne Fusarium in Cereals?

Same Seed Lot

1% Fusarium spp.

13% Fusarium spp.

80.5% Germination

95% Germination

Untreated Treated

2 fungicides 2 modes of action contact & systemic

Future Seed Treatment Solutions in Cereals

Conclusion: Seed & Soil-Borne Diseases are important.

Seed & Soil-born Diseases – What New?

Recommendations/Management Tools Best Seed Quality Seed Testing – Germination, Vigor, Disease Diagnostics Crop Rotations Seed Treatment Technology will Promote

• Faster Emergence • Strong Stand Establishment • Optimize Target Plant Populations • Support Target Yield Potential

Thank you!